Three individuals from Central Asian countries detained in Astrakhan

Migrants from Central Asian countries have been detained in Russia. They are suspected of causing mass poisoning among residents.

According to media reports, a mass poisoning incident involving methadone occurred in Astrakhan. Nineteen people were admitted to the local hospital’s intensive care unit, and three have died. However, according to the Telegram channel SHOT, 26 have been hospitalized, and four have died.

According to the Russian Ministry of Health, 17 people remain in the hospital, some of whom are still in serious condition. The others are feeling better and have been transferred from intensive care to general wards. Six are expected to be discharged soon. Two refused hospitalization.

According to Izvestia, the victims of the poisoning included a 29-year-old man and two 19-year-old women. One of the women was found dead in her apartment, while the other was found in the entrance of a residential building. The deceased woman was studying at a medical college.

Relatives of the deceased man reported that he had been convicted twice for fraud and theft and frequently used illegal substances.

Nothing is currently known about the fourth deceased individual.

The individuals detained for distributing methadone in Astrakhan believed they were selling mephedrone. Preliminary information suggests that all the victims also thought they were purchasing mephedrone, which is much weaker than methadone. Methadone is a stronger and cheaper drug.

For this reason, the victims consumed a high dose. It is nearly impossible to visually distinguish mephedrone from methadone, while the substances act very differently.

The press service of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that three individuals from Central Asian countries have been detained on suspicion of drug trafficking, which allegedly caused the poisoning of Astrakhan residents.

According to the Telegram channel SHOT, they are 18-year-old Tajik citizen Khusein Mamadaminov, 18-year-old Kyrgyz citizen Nurlanbek Mirakadir, and 18-year-old Uzbek citizen Oibek Nuriddinov.

The detainees were in Russia illegally. All three had no prior convictions.

A criminal case has been initiated under part 3 of article 228.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (Illegal sale of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances by a group of individuals by prior agreement). A criminal case has also been initiated under part 1 of article 109 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (Causing death by negligence).

According to investigators, after the first reports of poisoning in Astrakhan, the suspects left for Stavropol. However, they were almost immediately detained by operatives there.

Two of the detainees have admitted their guilt. They face up to 15 years in prison.

It is still unknown whether the Tajik citizen has admitted his guilt.